New owners, same Apple Granny

The new
owners of Apple Granny Restaurant have grand plans to change ... well, nothing.

Lewiston
residents Chuck Barber and Michael J. Burke recently acquired the Center Street
eatery from John Roberts and his family.

"We're
keeping the same great menu; the same great hours," Barber said. "If anything,
we hope that Mike and I, our energy and our age, and the stage of life we're in
with our families, we hope to add to and enhance some things, but we're keeping
all the great things that are here.

"So, if we
can freshen up things, add a little bit of a take on new things, we'd like to
add those slowly. But it's important for us to be able to share to the
community that we're keeping the same great traditions, the same great people -
the cooks, the food - it's all staying the same."

"We'd be
foolish to change it," Burke added.

The two
men said they grew up fans of the restaurant.

"I have
many memories coming from way back in my days of working at Rivershore. At
midnight, they used to be open here for a late-night menu. We'd come here for
snacks," Barber said. "Many of the restaurants up and down the street have
changed names many times, and you could almost do a game trying to figure it
out. But this has always been Apple Granny's. There was always something
special to me about Apple Granny's."

"I can
remember, when I worked at Coppins as a teenager, this was the go-to place to
get takeout," Burke said. "We were working Saturday afternoons cleaning floors
over at the shop, and this was the place to go for chicken wings or a sandwich,
and I think that continues to this day."

"We wanted
to be in here because of the great food and service and traditions that are
here," Barber said. "We are keeping all of that. We're very lucky and blessed
that all of the staff stayed. Every single employee has stayed on board with us
- from the cooks to the servers to the bartenders, everybody stayed on board to
be part of it."

Chuck Barber, left, and
Michael J. Burke are the proud new owners of Apple Granny Restaurant in
Lewiston.

Barber's
background is human services. Burke is a fireman. Neither one was born or
raised in Lewiston, but both chose to make the village home and raise families
here.

"Mike and
I ... are younger guys in this community," Barber said. "We love Lewiston. We
each have young families here and we're very active in the community. We're
part of all the youth sports leagues - as many community groups as possible.
We're part of the Lewiston Kiwanis. And we realize that Apple Granny's is right
in the heart of it.

"And I
think ... our main motivation was to really be part of this community, and this
was a great opportunity for us to join that. We're able to connect with our own
friends and family here, and the great customers that come in, and just be part
of a great experience.

"I think
we both always enjoyed all that Center Street has to
offer, much less Apple Granny's. So, to be part of it was an exciting
opportunity."

Barber said he
and Burke hope to continue what the Roberts began when they turned the former
general store (circa 1830) into Apple Granny in 1975.

"There's many
people who said, 'My mom and dad got married here,' 'I remember coming here as
a kid,' and now they're bringing their kids here," he said. "So we hope to
continue that tradition and let them know the same great things are happening."

"We picked
Apple Granny's because of all it has to offer," Barber added.

"We want to be
part of that and continue it," he said.

The new owners
may add some items to the menu, or offer some gluten-free options, but, "I
think the quality of the food speaks for itself," Burke said.

The restaurant
is known for its large assortment of beef and seafood dishes, and its ample
sandwich selections.

"Most
people get the message that the food is as good as it's ever been. And if there
may be some additions to the menu, I think they'll really enjoy it," Burke
said.